www.alanmoore.info
Web Design & Development Portfolio of Alan Moore
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About Alan Moore
I am a 31-year old web designer with 11 years commercial experience. I have just relocated from the UK to Baltimore, Maryland.
I spent four years as the Internet and IT Manager for Eclipse in Chester, then 12 months with Chester.com. I am now available for freelance projects.
What I Can Do For You
I can: Determine and develop the look and feel of web sites; Take responsibility for site navigation design and visual execution; Use HTML/JavaScript/PHP and other tools to develop static and dynamic web pages; Work with Apache MySQL databases to program web applications.
I specialise in HTML / CSS sites: keeping them clean, easy to use, attractive, yet equally usable in a text-only browser. I add Flash and Javascript or AJAX where appropriate.
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The Dutch Connection
Graphic Design, Logo Design, MySQL Database programming, XHTML, CSS, PHP, Flash, Javascript (jQuery)
The Dutch Connection in Baltimore required a new web site for the opening of their second store.
The brief was to avoid the traditional off-the-shelf florist site design of a catalogue of products. Rather, the site should entice the customer to browse the shops.
The structure is rigid, but uses circles, distorted rectangles and patterns to show a more playful side. The menu is unusually prominent at the top of the page, providing much information without being overbearing.
Video was used to add impact, and there are galleries of example products. The company logo of three tulips did not scale well for the web, so I drew a simpler, bolder version which the client liked so much they have used it as signage for the new store!
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The Funkier Than Thou Network
Graphic Design, MySQL Database programming, XHTML, CSS, PHP, Flash, Javascript (jQuery)
Originally built as a magazine site in August 2000, and launched 4th December 2000, The FTT was a repository for user-submitted articles, music and art. It even led to a club night in South London for its first birthday.
I built every iteration of the web site, which remained active (at varying levels) until late 2006. By 2008 it had been dormant for a while, so the decision was made to archive all content into a 'greatest hits' site.
The goal is to present all parts of the site as elegantly as possible, laying out the pages in HTML and CSS and using jQuery for a little sparkle. The site has been designed for modern widescreen monitors but uses a semi-fluid layout which allows viewing on older, 1024x768 screens.
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Rhyme Times Tables
Flash, Actionscript, PHP, MySQL
The Rhyme Times Tables concept uses a combination of pictures (objects that rhyme with each number, i.e. three = Tree ), pattern (the layout of the pictures) and position of the number on the card) to teach kids their times tables. It is aimed at ages four to seven.
A colleague created the web site and asked me to build an example game in Flash to be placed on the site. This gives a tastes of two of the times tables, allowing the children to practice them and then test themselves on a selection of random cards.
The game is to be expanded to allow all ten times tables, and made available under a subscription model. I will, in the near future, be building the full game in Flash and creating a subscription area in PHP and MySQL.
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Lunchtime Memories
Co-Design, MySQL Database programming, XHTML, CSS, PHP, Javascript (jQuery)
A web site to promote National School Meals Week 2008. Focussing on presenting positive messages about school food by allowing the public to submit their memories of school food and the staff who made it.
I used jQuery to provide some motion to the web site, and the jqUploader plugin which allows the site user to upload a photo to the site.
A PHP/MySQL content management system (CMS) allows moderators to approve a submission for appearance on the site, edit it, and promote to the front page if desired.
ImageMagick is used by the CMS to process submitted photos and turn them into the polaroids seen on the site.
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Chester.com
MySQL Database programming, XHTML, CSS, PHP, Flash, Javascript
I joined Chester.com to rebuild the web site. Unfortunately, the designs (by a designer with no web experience) were approved (by a sales person with equal expertise) before I joined. Many choices were made regarding the way the site worked which had to be completed due to lack of time before the relaunch date.
Following this, I built and updated the pages as required. Later, I designed and built a PHP/MySQL Content Management System (CMS). I instigated changes to both visual design and functionality of the site, driving it to become more interactive and logical. Over twelve months I jettisoned around 70% of the poor choices made initially.
I have left Chester.com with an easy to maintain web site. It was a constant battle to keep the site focused and relevant, attempting to satisfy commercial needs, relevance to users and SEO, but I feel my efforts were successful considering the circumstances.
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La Fattoria Chester
Design, XHTML/CSS code, PHP, MySQL
A small, tidy web site for a local Italian Restaurant. I designed the page layout in Fireworks and coded the pages in content-out XHTML with CSS for the layout.
The Menu and Wine List pages draw their data from a MySQL database using PHP. Having built the database I created an Administration area in PHP to act as a Content Management System (CMS) for the restaurant owners.
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Robbie Stocker Portfolio
XHTML and CSS. Lightbox2 implementation.
A local artist, Robbie Stocker, required a portfolio web site to display his sculpture, photography, paintings and public works.
Due to a clerical error, the client had been guaranteed a price for the build, and the design costs were spiraling. This left an incredibly short amount of time in which to build the site.
Originally intended to feature a page for each piece of art, the site was likely to be in excess of 100 pages. I suggested instead that Lightbox2 be implemented, removing the need for individual pages. This allowed us to come in merely a couple of hours over budget, as opposed to tens of hours over.
The site is content-out XHTML with a CSS layout and Lightbox2 installed.
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Seddon Homes
Usability design, XHTML, CSS, Video->Flash conversion, PHP, MySQL, AJAX, JavaScript, Google Maps integration
Preliminary layouts by a graphic designer were approved for style, but the client was unhappy with the layouts of the pages, yet unable to say why. Using Andy Clarke's block-out technique, I was able to show that the sizes and positions of the page elements did not reflect their importance. I resized, moved or removed elements and produced new visuals which followed the original guidelines for appearance.
I built the site in XHTML, 'content-out' style - the content follows a logical order in the code, but CSS places it in an attractive layout on screen. I used Prototype and AJAX to make select pages elegant yet simple.
NB: The current site at seddonhomes.co.uk has a similar layout but was rebuilt from scratch by a designer who worked solely in Dreamweaver's Design mode. The link to the left to an archive from October 2007.
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Rhydymwyn Valley CD-ROM
Flash animations, ActionScript code, CD-ROM authoring
Rhydymwyn Valley Nature Reserve was, during WW2, a munitions factory. It is now a nature reserve, and accepts coach parties from schools. They required an interactive CD-ROM for use in their centre.
I evaluated Director and Flash, choosing Flash for flexibility and familiarity. The structure was provided by staff at the reserve, along with photographs, text, a voice-over narration and even a newly-discovered 1940s instructional film for staff at the factory.
Page layouts were created by the lead designer at Eclipse and I combined all these elements into a working CD-ROM exclusively for use within the centre. I made several compromises for the target computers (all Pentium III or less between 100MHz and 233MHz), which required numerous rounds of optimisation to the Flash.
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ID Generation
XHTML, CSS, Flash animations
A supplement to the earlier Inspired Developments site. The client wished to remove the Developments pages from the Flash site and have the individual pages targeted with Google Adwords. The catch was that the resulting pages should not feel static next to the Flash site.
I built the pages in content-out HTML with CSS placing the elements around the screen. I added motion to each development page by using Flash animations (clouds moving, lights switching on/off, birds flying) which were seamlessly overlaid on the pages.
Finally, I created CSS rollovers for the large circular images, which appear even with Stylesheets turned off.
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Hanlys
Designed system from requirements, PHP code, MySQL database design, Web server configuration
Hanlys provide a service searching for new homes for clients. Regional licensees work on the central web server, managed centrally by the head of the company. I configured Apache on a new web server with SSL. I designed then constructed several databases in MySQL. Secure administration areas were then defined, and I created the following systems in PHP:
The Control System allows the owner to define all options within the system available to the licensees (i.e. in a drop-down menu). It also controls accounts, defining regional licensees and their employees.
The Licensee System allows the licensee to add/remove/edit properties, clients, estate agents, and local facilities. The system matches clients with appropriate properties, which the client then vets before sending an automated email to the client.
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Proximo
Co-developed concept, CSS, XHTML
Proximo insure commercial vehicles such as taxis. They wanted a new Flash site. We suggested an HTML site, which was approved provided it maintain the slickness of their previous Flash site.
I used fixed positioning to create a complex layout and maintain standards compliance.
The layout of the page is innovative compared to the average HTML page, yet still easy to navigate. Overflowing content is scrolled and the menus have drop downs as required - all standard XHTML with image replacement used to maintain font styles.
This is a good example of a site which is (a) standards compliant, (b) innovative, yet still (c) corporate.
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Inspired Developments (ID)
Co-developed design and interface, Flash animation, ActionScript code, PHP code
An existing client started a new 'redevelopment' property company, targeting under 30's with designer city lifestyles.
I built this site entirely in Flash, with the occasional hook into PHP, using much ActionScript and heavy use of traditional Flash animation techniques.
The Eye is the main attraction and the eyeball is always pointing in the correct direction and angle from the confines of the eye to the current cursor position.
Each page includes a hand-drawn 'pop-art' style image of the property, which draws itself, then filters from TV interference to one or more pictures of the property. Each of these was hand drawn by the Head Designer and then I manually turned them in 45-frame animations.
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The Green Planet
Flash animation, ActionScript code
The Green Planet recycled printer cartridges/toners and mobile phones. They wished to target Secondary / High Schools, and emphasise their charitable donations. The site had to be attractive and interactive without being simplistic or condescending, as users could be between 11 and 18 years of age.
I built the sitte entirely in Flash, paying particular attention to the introduction, which the client insisted on including. More than one third of my production time was spent on the introduction, which indicates the 'environmentally friendly' nature of the business. The intro required a return to the animation techniques for which Flash was originally intended!
The main site used animation techniques for the drawing of the frame and the 6 individual Fact animations. I coded everything else in ActionScript. The individual pages are held in external SWF files for ease-of-editing.
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Safe In Mind - UNKLE Remixer
Flash, ActionScript code
In 2003, James Lavelle was preparing to issue his second UNKLE album. To capitalise on the grass roots following his band had, he distributed promotional materials to various fan sites in order to create online promos. UNKLE77.com received sections of the song 'Safe In Mind,' featuring vocals by Josh Homme of Queens Of The Stone Age. I was contacted to create a Flash toy which would allow the user to 'remix' the song.
This is a simple Flash-based loop player. Three buttons were created for each element – one to trigger the loop once, another to toggle the loop on a permanent repeat, and a simple volume control for the loop. This allows the user to play many combinations of the audio clips.
The original file was skinned to match the layout of the site. This is the unskinned version.
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Get Set Magazine
Navigation concept, Flash animation, ActionScript code
Get Set Magazine was produced to promote alternative Further Education courses. The website was to be attractive to 14-16 years olds, so had to be highly interactive.
I built the site in Flash, from Illustrator layouts. I used a large amount of ActionScript code to build the traveling menu bar, which follows the mouse cursor while closed, and when open, expands across the screen. It is then possible to scroll along the menu items should there be more than would fit in the existing space.
The magazine was issued every three months, and I built the site to be modular and easy to update. Most settings in the menus are actually held in the ActionScript code, and therefore simple to change. Several advanced ideas were dropped due to the limited resources of most computers at the time.
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Liberty Properties Plc (Prototype)
Navigation concept, Flash animation, ActionScript code
A highly conceptual site for a property development firm. There were no limits to the brief, and the only real instructions were to push the 'wow factor' as far as possible. The design process was highly organic, and the initial visuals were continuously altered during construction, requiring many rewrites of some sophisticated ActionScript code.
The initial design had fixed navigation that didn't fit with the 'free' nature of the site, with its abstract shapes. I proposed a moving cursor that acted as both a mobile tool tip and the main navigation. Several pages were redesigned to explore possibilities opened by this new method of navigation.
This site is an advanced prototype, designed to demonstrate the possibilities available to the client. The site was later completed by another designer before being replaced by a new design some years later.
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What Do You See? Promo
Concept, Flash animation
One of several elements designed for a portfolio site which would showcase the capabilities of the North West design team.
Utilising the Hillman Curtis philosophy of making motion graphic elements small and punchy, I redrew the 'ic' Eye logo as a vector in Flash and had it draw in front of the viewer. I created the voice with a web-based voice synthesizer and imported the Wave files. The slogan was created specifically for the promo.
I originally designed this as part of a wider site, which was never completed.
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icLiverpool Beatles Splash
Concept, Flash animation
Liverpool based portal icLiverpool is the flagship regional portal for Trinity Mirror in the North West. At launch, they hosted an exhaustive reference on the band. The portal being rather bland, they commissioned a Splash/intro was commissioned to enliven the first page, utilising a (then) recently discovered archive photograph exclusively owned by the Daily Post newspaper.
The Flash element had to be quick loading, so I redrew the photo as a vector. I adjusted colours etc. manually and created a simple loop, utilising the slogan 'From Liverpool to the World' presented in a primitive typeface akin to the 'Savage Young Beatles' posters of the early 1960s.
The feature stayed online for a few years, before being dropped.
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CV / Resume
Employment History:
10/08-present Various freelance positions
10/07-10/08 Chester.com, Internet Manager
11/03-10/07 Eclipse Creative Consultants,
Internet & IT Manager
06/03-10/03 Iceland Frozen Foods,
Customer Services Resource Advisor
10/02-02/03 Westwood Marketing & Design Consultancy,
Freelance Web Developer
05/02-07/02 Graham's Machinery Sales
Freelance Web Designer
05/00-12/01 Trinity Mirror Digital Media,
Web Developer (North West) [12 months],
Internet Coordinator (Chester Chronicle Series) [8 months]
More in the CV... -
Contact Alan Moore
Send me a message and I'll get back to you ASAP...
The Dutch Connection
4/09
Funkier Than Thou
12/00 - 3/09
Rhyme Times Tables
1/09
Lunchtime Memories
10/08
Chester.com
7/07 - 10/08
La Fattoria
5/08
Robbie Stocker
12/07- R
